Strategic Level

E3 Strategic Management

Aim of the syllabus

E3 builds on the insights gained from E1 and E2 about how organisations effectively implement their strategies by aligning their structures, people, process, projects and relationships. E3 aims to develop the skills and abilities of the strategic leaders of organisations, enabling them to create the vision and direction for the growth and long-term sustainable success of the organisation. This involves successfully managing and leading change within the process of strategy formulation and implementation.

Topics covered

Interacting with the competitive environment (20%)

Evaluate the influence of key external factors on an organisation’s strategy.

Evaluate ethical issues arising from the organisation’s interaction with its environment.

Evaluating ‘strategic position and strategic options (30%)

Leading change (20%)

Implementing strategy (15%)

The role of information systems in organisational strategy (15%)

Exam information

Dates:

The Professional qualification is made up of two types of computer-based assessments:

90 minute objective tests for each of the three subjects within each level - these are on demand and can be taken all year

A three hour case study exam when you have completed all objective tests and want to progress to the next level - these are available in four windows a year. Exams are available for five days from Tuesday to Saturday. View the current exam timetable.

Scheduling:

Objective tests are available all year. We recommend that you schedule an exam at least 2 weeks in advance.

Locations:

Duration:

Objective tests are 90 minutes. Case study exams are 3 hours

Exam requirements:

You must pass (or be exempt from) all three objective tests at a level before you can move onto the case study exam. When you have passed the case study exam you can move onto the next level and start the objective tests for that level. The Strategic Level case study exam is the last exam that you will take.

Pass marks:

More information:

Students who have passed the Gateway Assessment will be exempt from the Certificate, Operational and Management levels and can move directly to the Strategic level. They will therefore be exempt from the Management Integrated Case Study. If students are part way through level then they will need to sit the new Objective Test for the papers yet to pass and the Management Integrated Case Study before proceeding to the Strategic Level.

If students have passed all three Strategic papers (E3, P3 and F3) under the 2010 syllabus then they can move onto the new Strategic Integrated Case Study, however if part way through the level then they will need to sit the new Objective Test for the papers yet to be sat and the Integrated Case study for that level. Students who have completed the Professional Competence Level Paper T4 – Part B (2010 syllabus or equivalent), will be give credit in the Strategic Case Study Exam. For more details please visit: www.cimaglobal.com/exemptions.

P3 Risk Management

Aim of the syllabus

P3 shows how to identify, evaluate and manage various risks that could adversely affect the implementation of the organisation’s strategy. It provides the competencies required to analyse, evaluate and apply the techniques, processes and internal control systems required to manage risk. The insight is then used to manage the risk associated with cash flows and capital investment decisions – two important areas of organisational life for which the finance function is responsible.

Topics covered

Identification, classification and evaluation of risk (20%)

Evaluate the types of risk facing an organisation and recommend appropriate responses.

Responses to strategic risk (20%)

Evaluate the tools and processes required for strategy implementation.

Evaluate ethical issues facing an organisation and its employees.

Evaluate the risks associated with corporate governance.

Internal controls to manage risk (20%)

Evaluate control systems for organisational activities and resources.

Evaluate risk management strategies an internal control.

Evaluate the purposes and process of audit in the context of internal control systems.

Managing risks associated with cash flows (20%)

Evaluate financial risks facing an organisation.

Evaluate alternative risk management tool.

Managing risks associated with the capital investment decisions (20%)

Evaluate the risks arising from changes in the environment for capital investment appraisal.

Exam information

Dates:

The Professional qualification is made up of two types of computer-based assessments:

90 minute objective tests for each of the three subjects within each level - these are on demand and can be taken all year

A three hour case study exam when you have completed all objective tests and want to progress to the next level - these are available in four windows a year. Exams are available for five days from Tuesday to Saturday. View the current exam timetable.

Scheduling:

Objective tests are available all year. We recommend that you schedule an exam at least 2 weeks in advance.

Locations:

Duration:

Objective tests are 90 minutes. Case study exams are 3 hours

Exam requirements:

You must pass (or be exempt from) all three objective tests at a level before you can move onto the case study exam. When you have passed the case study exam you can move onto the next level and start the objective tests for that level. The Strategic Level case study exam is the last exam that you will take.

Pass marks:

More information:

Students who have passed the Gateway Assessment will be exempt from the Certificate, Operational and Management levels and can move directly to the Strategic level. They will therefore be exempt from the Management Integrated Case Study. If students are part way through level then they will need to sit the new Objective Test for the papers yet to pass and the Management Integrated Case Study before proceeding to the Strategic Level.

If students have passed all three Strategic papers (E3, P3 and F3) under the 2010 syllabus then they can move onto the new Strategic Integrated Case Study, however if part way through the level then they will need to sit the new Objective Test for the papers yet to be sat and the Integrated Case study for that level. Students who have completed the Professional Competence Level Paper T4 – Part B (2010 syllabus or equivalent), will be give credit in the Strategic Case Study Exam.For more details please visit: cimaglobal.com/exemptions.

F3 Financial Strategy

Aim of the syllabus

F3 focuses on the formulation and implementation of financial strategy to support the overall strategy of the organisation. Using insights gained from F1 and F2, it provides the competencies to evaluate the financial requirements of organisations and the relative merits of alternative sources of finance to meet these requirements. Finally the valuation of corporate entities for mergers, acquisitions and divestments.

Topics covered

Formulation of financial strategy (25%)

Evaluate strategic financial and non-financial objectives of different types of entities.

Evaluate strategic financial management policy decisions.

Financing and dividend decision (35%)

Evaluate the financial requirements of an entity and recommend a strategy for meeting those requirements.

Evaluate dividend policies for an incorporated entity that meet the needs and expectations of shareholders.

Corporate Finance (40%)

Evaluate opportunities for acquisition merger and divestment.

Evaluate the value of entities.

Evaluate pricing issues and post-transaction issues.

Exam information

Dates:

The Professional qualification is made up of two types of computer-based assessments:

90 minute objective tests for each of the three subjects within each level - these are on demand and can be taken all year

A three hour case study exam when you have completed all objective tests and want to progress to the next level - these are available in four windows a year. Exams are available for five days from Tuesday to Saturday. View the current exam timetable.

Scheduling:

Objective tests are available all year. We recommend that you schedule an exam at least 2 weeks in advance.

Locations:

Duration:

Objective tests are 90 minutes. Case study exams are 3 hours

Exam requirements:

You must pass (or be exempt from) all three objective tests at a level before you can move onto the case study exam. When you have passed the case study exam you can move onto the next level and start the objective tests for that level. The Strategic Level case study exam is the last exam that you will take.

Pass marks:

More information:

Students who have passed the Gateway Assessment will be exempt from the Certificate, Operational and Management levels and can move directly to the Strategic level. They will therefore be exempt from the Management Integrated Case Study. If students are part way through level then they will need to sit the new Objective Test for the papers yet to pass and the Management Integrated Case Study before proceeding to the Strategic Level.

If students have passed all three Strategic papers (E3, P3 and F3) under the 2010 syllabus then they can move onto the new Strategic Integrated Case Study, however if part way through the level then they will need to sit the new Objective Test for the papers yet to be sat and the Integrated Case study for that level. Students who have completed the Professional Competence Level Paper T4 – Part B (2010 syllabus or equivalent), will be give credit in the Strategic Case Study Exam.For more details please visit: cimaglobal.com/exemptions.

CS Case Study

The integrated case study covers all 3 pillars within the level you are sitting.

Topics covered

The exam consists of a linked task - a chain of questions which will contain elements from more than one paper in that level.

For example: the Operational Integrated Case Study could involve creating costings for a product (P1 task), followed by advising on how best to market the product (E1 task), followed by the impact on the financial statements of holding more inventory (F1 task).

Exam information

Dates:

The Professional qualification is made up of two types of computer-based assessments:

90 minute objective tests for each of the three subjects within each level - these are on demand and can be taken all year

A three hour case study exam when you have completed all objective tests and want to progress to the next level - these are available in four windows a year. Exams are available for five days from Tuesday to Saturday. View the current exam timetable.

Scheduling:

Objective tests are available all year. We recommend that you schedule an exam at least 2 weeks in advance.

Locations:

Duration:

Objective tests are 90 minutes. Case study exams are 3 hours

Exam requirements:

You must pass (or be exempt from) all three objective tests at a level before you can move onto the case study exam. When you have passed the case study exam you can move onto the next level and start the objective tests for that level. The Strategic Level case study exam is the last exam that you will take.

Pass marks:

More information:

You must have completed all 5 papers in the Certificate Level before progressing on to the Operational Level. AAT qualified students will be exempt from the Certificate Level and proceed straight to the Operational Level. Degree students may qualify for exemptions from the Operational Level depending on the content of your degree.

Students who have completed Operational Level in the 2010 (or earlier) syllabus will progress to the next level. Students who are mid-way through a level, will need to complete any outstanding Objective Tests at that level, as well as the newly introduced Integrated Case Study, at that level. For more details please visit: cimaglobal.com/exemptions.

Breaks the course down into a week by week study phase at both the learning and revision phase, highlighting key topic areas and study tips. This allows you to better plan your studies around work and life commitments.

Live introductory webinar

Within 2 weeks of enrolling, you will be invited to a live webinar with a Kaplan Distance Learning tutor. The tutor will introduce you to your course, explain the various study material available to you, and provide advice and guidance on how to reach the goal of passing your examination.